Guitar Excellence - What Does it Take?

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What does it take to become an excellent guitarist? What qualities must you possess, and through what hoops must you jump? Here are my thoughts on the subject...

NATURAL TALENT--10%

Many people assume that natural talent is a huge issue with regard to achieving excellence as a guitar player. What, exactly, is natural talent? In her "GuitarPrinciples" newsletter, one of my favorite authors, Jamie Andreas, wrote,"Natural Talent is a predisposition in the mind and the body, to do the right thing relative to a particular skill or domain of skills. When a person who has natural talent for singing hears someone sing, their body and mind 'know' what that person is doing to get that sound. And their body/mind knows how to do it too, or how to begin moving in that direction. (They don't have to know this consciously, that is 'know what they know, and how they know it, they just know')."

Natural talent certainly is real, and we should not deny its existence. I believe it is wonderful that we all have natural talents for different areas of life. This makes the human experience interesting and exciting. But natural talent is only part of the equation--and not a very large part, in my opinion--perhaps ten percent. And, bear in mind, if you are not naturally talented for guitar playing, this does NOT mean you won't become a great guitar player!

MOTIVATION--45%

I would say motivation contributes at least 45 percent to the achievement of excellence as a guitarist. Sheer excitement about the instrument and the resultant motivation to excel will break through many obstacles, including a lack of (or limitation of) natural talent. Motivation overcomes all kinds of handicaps. It was motivation that propelled Django Reinhardt to the status of one of the greatest guitar players of all time--after injury from a fire forced him to use only two fingers on the fretboard for the rest of his life! I would say motivation is the very foundation of guitar excellence. Motivation will be the driving force through which you will do what needs to be done.

DISCIPLINE--45%

Discipline is another huge part of the picture--perhaps the remaining 45 percent. Discipline is the least attractive element: It involves committing to, and following through with, a practice schedule and taking the steps required to make the most of each session. For example, discipline will require the guitar student to play tedious exercises, to learn scales and licks and to practice with a metronome. The guitarist who employs discipline will be conscious of body position, hand position, and precisely how each finger is used on the fingerboard. Discipline even extends to the organization of study materials (sheet music, instructional videos, CD's, etc.) and the systematic development of a repertoire.

DO THE MATH...

So do the math: If someone is naturally talented with regard to playing the guitar, and is equal to you in motivation and discipline, then that person might be, say, 10 percent more proficient on the guitar than you. However, you will be a more excellent guitar player than those who may be naturally talented, but do not match you in motivation and discipline! When it comes right down to it, I believe that with motivation and discipline, ANYONE can become an excellent guitarist!

Copyright © 2008 Lee Griffith. All rights reserved.